Ottawa’s deal with the CFL for its 2014 return may not be as sweet as advertised, but on paper it is better than the arrangement the Renegades got for their 2002 reincarnation.

Unless the CFL adjusts its current expansion draft rules, Ottawa will not wind up with enough Canadian starting-calibre players this time around.

What Ottawa should get is a quality quarterback — which the Renegades did not get out of the 2002 expansion draft. Each team is allowed to protect just one QB. So if B.C. protects Travis Lulay, the Argos keep Ricky Ray and down the line, there should be a quality backup available. That should improve Ottawa’s changes of finding a guy who can start, but it’s no sure thing. Maybe Ottawa gets a Mike Reilly, Bo Levi Mitchell or Kevin Glenn. Here’s what I don’t like: If Ottawa selects a QB, that team then gets to protect two additional Canadians.

League rules necessitate seven Canadian starters in each team’s lineup. In the expansion draft, each team can protect six Canadians. You’d think you would land a starter from each team. But there are some big ifs and buts.

The existing teams will see no need to protect upcoming free agents. Why would they? Those players can sign with anybody.

What about veterans, say guys who are 34 or 35 years old, usually offensive linemen? Some may be useful for a year. Will Ottawa use a precious pick on one? Not likely. So teams will leave most of them unprotected.

It’s possible that Ottawa winds up with the eighth-best Canadian on six teams and the 10th-best Canadian on two teams. Every team gets to protect an additional six players when Ottawa selects one. Why? You’re then looking at their 14th- or 16th best.

Let each team keep their six guys and let Ottawa have their choice of the others.

Each team is allowed to protect 10 Americans, so you get the 11th best. There are 120 Division I colleges in the U.S., so it’s easier to suck up the fact you may not hit that jackpot. You can find talent south of the border. This isn’t a big deal, but what about allowing each team to protect a certain number by position?

On paper, the expansion draft sounds reasonable, but in some ways it’s not as helpful as it could be.

Many teams employ a good chunk of their Canadian content on the offensive line. Given the importance of the position, especially considering how many Canadians are asked to play there, why not put a limit on the number of offensive linemen that can be protected?

It’s great that Ottawa should start with a good QB, but he’s going to need some quality offensive linemen to keep him in one piece.

In the CFL Canadian draft before the 2013 season, Ottawa will pick ninth, 18th, 27th and 36th — limited to four of the six rounds. And they can only pick redshirted junior players. History shows that one or two “futures” get taken in the first two rounds. With other teams knowing that is all Ottawa can select, it would seem likely interest in “futures” is going to spike. There are only 15 to choose from. You want to get one of the top couple. Why isn’t Ottawa selecting first? And why aren’t they allowed to pick in all six rounds?

The CFL came through for the 2014 college draft — Ottawa will pick first in each round. But most of these guys won’t have an immediate impact.

It’s important that Ottawa be competitive out of the gate. The team and its fans deserve that much. The CFL has taken steps to ensure Ottawa hits the ground running.